What condition follows an infection with the HIV virus?

The condition that follows an infection with the HIV virus is AIDS. When a person contracts HIV, the virus attacks the immune system, specifically targeting CD4 cells, which are crucial for immune response. Over time, if left untreated, the virus can lead to a progressive decline in immune function. AIDS, or Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome, is the most severe phase of HIV infection and is diagnosed when an individual has a CD4 cell count below a certain threshold or develops specific opportunistic infections or cancers that indicate advanced immune compromise.

This progression emphasizes the importance of early detection and treatment of HIV with antiretroviral therapy, which can significantly delay the onset of AIDS. The other conditions listed, such as syphilis and herpes, are sexually transmitted infections but are not directly caused by HIV and do not follow its infection process.

Being HIV positive refers simply to the presence of the virus in the body, while AIDS is a defined syndrome that signifies the culmination of HIV's impact on the immune system.